Sepp Blatter: 'I have not resigned'

Fifa president fuels speculation he could yet stand at next election

Sepp Blatter (FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images)

Sepp Blatter has fuelled speculation that he could stand for re-election when Fifa meets at an extraordinary congress that he triggered.

Under huge pressure amid allegations of bribery and corruption throughout world football's governing body, just days after he was re-elected as president for a fifth term the Swiss announced he was standing down.

An extraordinary congress was triggered at which Fifa's executive committee will reconvene, to be held some time between December and March next year. Blatter said he would, and does remain in charge until that meeting.

When announcing his resignation last month, Blatter said that he was "laying down" his mandate and spoke of electing "my successor at the earliest opportunity".

However as the intense scrutiny of Fifa, which is under investigation by US and Swiss authorities, has relinquished, speculation has grown that Blatter may yet stand at the next election. In an interview with Swiss newspaper Blick, he appeared to suggest that could be the case.

“I have not resigned," he said. "Rather I have made my mandate available at an extraordinary congress.”

Should Blatter stand, he is expected to face competition from the man he beat last time around, Prince Ali Al-Hussein. A number of other candidates have put themselves forward.